Best Washington, DC Restaurants

Toki Underground was the first ramen shop to open in DC and has been a popular restaurant in the Atlas district since Chef Erik Yang poured the first bowl of ramen noodle soup in 2011. A blend of Taiwanese and...

Step back in time as you enter this elegant Federal-style country inn. Indeed, the early American antiques, Limoges china, Currier and Ives prints, and rustic fireplace create a comfortable yet luxe dining space....

With its stark white walls, high ceilings and dramatic glass facade, Zaytinya has emerged as a popular after-work gathering place. Hot and cold mezze ("middle-of-the-day" meals) enrich the dining scene with...

If the name evokes images of fried catfish and grilled bear, be prepared to think again. Despite the lodge-inspired decor, this intimate dining spot caters to a sophisticated clientele, and the creativity in the...

Top Chef finalist Bryan Voltaggio has spun his fame into a mini empire; Range, his latest restaurant, proves he deserves all the accolades he gets. A sprawling eatery in Friendship Heights, Range lives up to its...

New on the scene but certainly a classic in the making, Le Diplomate recreates the experience of the classic Parisian cafe. Spend an afternoon sipping a frothy cappuccino and people-watching from your outdoor seat...

This warm, intimate restaurant recollects the quaint roadside inns so revered in the French countryside. Surrounding it is a beautiful garden that helps foster a relaxed environment for guests, who are treated as...

Rasika in Penn Quarter is a spicy, rich, authentic dining destination. (It was also a favorite of former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; woe to any diner who was found sitting at "his" table when he...

Trendy and popular, Oyamel is one of those places that lives up to the hype. One of several popular restaurants created by famed chef José Andrés, Oyamel features dishes inspired by Mexico's many different regions...

About Washington, DC Restaurants

Washington, D.C. is known for politics, history and memorials but within the past several years, the District has been making a name for itself among foodies as an up-and-coming culinary location. World-renowned chefs such as Jose Andres, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Eric Ripert have all chosen the nation's capital as a site for their restaurants including minibar, J&G Steakhouse and Westend Bistro. "Top Chef" fan favorites Bryan Voltaggio, Mike Isabella and Spike Mendelsohn are also contributing eateries to the thriving restaurant scene. International travelers will enjoy a wide variety of ethnic dining options available. Etete and Dukem offer savory African/Ethiopian dishes in Northwest, Penn Quarter's Oya and Dupont Circle's Zentan features delicious Asian food, Oyamel and Ceiba are just two of the Latin American restaurants available and European venues feature menus from Italian, German, Greek, Spanish and French cuisine. Locals have their favorites as well including 19th Street's The Palm, a regular host for political power players and U Street's Ben's Chilli Bowl which famously only allows comedian Bill Cosby and the Obamas a free meal. With so many options available, Washington, D.C. restaurants are sure to please any palette.

Gina Gallucci White is an award winning freelance writer with articles appearing in such regional publications as Frederick Magazine, The Daily Record, Montgomery Magazine and The Gazette. She writes about a wide variety of subjects and holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism from West Virginia University. Gina has two kids, can tell the difference... Read more »